Hey guys, 2 days ago I was driving and out of no where the engine started shaking out of no where. Within 15 seconds it got really bad. So I got the car towed home since it was 1 am. now 2 days later, I’m trying to diagnose it. So I started the engine and drove around a little and it’s driving fine. But I know the issue isn’t resolved. What could be wrong? I’m sure whatever happened wasn’t random or fixed itself. You guys have helped a ton in the past, please help me again. Thanks!
for a few second when it got really bad 2 days ago the check engine light was flashing fast and it went away as soon as I got down to 15 mph and the electric mode kicked in.
You could purchase or borrow a toyota hybrid compatible OBD2 code reader and see if DTCs were logged.
last time I went to Toyota, those douchebags charged $350 just to test drive the car and to run the codes when my transaxle went out. Car wasn’t driveable so I didn’t have much of a choice to say no to the dealer and go somewhere else. Then they quoted me at $4500 to fix it. I got a junkyard transaxle for $150 and paid $900 for labor. it doesn’t seem like autozone or most others have a code reader for hybrids.
Many here use a mini-vci cable and a copy of techstream, which is the software that the dealer uses. Could try an ODB2 bluetooth adapter, it costs only a few dollars and helps retrieve quite a few (though not all) of the stored DTCs. Couldn't hurt to try/borrow what the local chain stores have, and every store may have a different brand/model for loan.
Sounds like cylinder #4 is acting up, when if ever were the spark plugs replaced? You might try swapping coil #4 with coil # 3 and see if the misfire follows the moved coil. If it does, then a failed coil could be the issue. If it doesn't, then you take the #4 coil out and look at the condition of the spark plug and report back here. Be sure to notice if the coil or the outside of the spark plug has engine oil on it.
A flashing CEL is always a misfire...………...probably original plugs? If not plugs, then it may be a stuck open injector.
Thank you all for the help! You guys are awesome! so after changing the spark plugs, I drove the car about 15 miles and it’s driving perfect. I ran up the codes again and the cylinder misfire code is no longer showing up. is the fuel on old spark plug concerning? Should I just go ahead and replace the fuel injector and coil anyways? i will be selling the car soon and I wouldn’t want the next owner to have engine issues because it’s really scary. So if it costs me few hundred to just fix it now I’ll do it. But at the same time, I only want to replace the coil and fuel injector if it truly needs to be replaced and was the cause of gasoline on the old spark plug. What do you guys think?
If it's driving perfect after the spark plug replacement, I wouldn't worry about the injector or coil, they're likely fine. A stuck injector would probably stay stuck and would still be causing problems.
